It is a dreadful November day; rain and sleet batter young Martin while he tries to hitch a lift to Liverpool. The coast road is deserted, and he shrinks further into his rain-soaked duffle coat. He hears a bus approaching but has no money, so when it stops to eject a weeping girl, then speeds away, he hurries to catch her up. Companions in misfortune, Martin and Rose slog on together. Each has a secret which neither wishes to part with and when they go their separate ways, they don't expect to meet again. But fate decrees otherwise.